I recently returned from the annual Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention known as RadCon, which takes place in Pasco WA about this time every year. I got to participate on 6 panels (a personal record for me), which covered a wide range of topics including combat realism, plot, pacing, and marketing.

I also got to run a merchandise table for an hour to exclusively sell my own products. Selling your own work person-to-person is always an interesting twist on the average writer's life. Writing is, in and of itself, an introverted activity (if you don't count the many characters crowding the pages). Salesmanship and speaking on panels to a live audience, however, are quite the opposite. Last year I felt a little self-conscious and wasn't sure I 'belonged'. This year, things improved quite a bit.

I did an interesting experiment with book sales over the course of the three-day event. The Central Washington Author's Guild was kind enough to sell my books at their spot in the dealer's room, but due to my busy schedule, I couldn't sit in on those sales. I was forced to leave those books to sink or swim on their own. Throughout the convention though, I was talking with fans and selling copies of my books to interested parties.

I was surprised by the end of the convention when I realized I managed more sales through personal exchanges with customers, than I got by just leaving my books for sale at a booth. I developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of making personal connections as you go about sharing your work and getting to know other writers.

Over the next week or two, I will be compiling my notes from the RadCon panels into YouTube videos. They're both to keep the information fresh for me and to enlighten any other writers or curious readers who want to learn more about what goes on behind the 'curtain' of professional fiction writing.

I'm also breaking ground on a new fantasy series, "Shepard of the Dead." While I'm designing the world, magic system and characters, I will be publishing short stories to give you all a taste of what's on the way. More details coming soon.